Copycat Sundress

I don't know about most of you but I am awful at following patterns, but I love to sew and if I see something I just try to copy it the best I can. Anyways, I have been wanting to make El a cute summer light weight dress and this is what I came up with. So, most of you are probably wondering why I am posting this without a tutorial, and the reason why is that if you feel inspired by any adorable design and want to make it, go for it!

Front:

Back

Oversized Pool Bag

Alison was telling me the other day about making an over-sized pool bag that you could load your towels, toys, and lotions in and I thought it was a great idea (just like most of her ideas) so I went online and found a great tutorial for one. http://maidenjane.blogspot.com/2010/04/oversized-beach-tote-in-urban-green-and.html

OK, beginner sewers, this is easy peasy! YOU CAN DO IT!!! We have taken it to the pool and it fits all our stuff. I got the fabric at Hobby Lobby in the home dec section.

A Few Refashions

I have been thrifty lately (okay, I usually am). I have such a huge pile of clothes I don't want to get rid of, and fabric I have bought or been given over the years, I just can't justify buying new fabric. I have been making my girls some clothes out of old items, and I love getting something new for free!


Breezy summer shirt made from a men's button-up


Here is a close-up


Here is another one, showing the original buttons up the back.


Some old pajamas that got shrunk and stretched in weird places


They got made into some new pajamas for my two-year-old.


My old ironing board cover - nasty!


Covered it with some fabric my grandmother gave me. I've been wanting to do that a long time. Much better.

Christmas Tree Shirt

My youngest daughter has had many Christmas shirts, pajamas, and dresses handed down to her, but my oldest didn't have one Christmas thing. So, I made my her an appliqued Christmas tree shirt.

I think I saw the ruffle Christmas tree idea somewhere last year, but I can't remember where. I originally wanted to use ribbon for the tree, but I ran out of green ribbon. I had this green fabric, so I decided to cut it into strips with pinking shears and gather it, then sew the strips in rows on the shirt.

I used a button for the star and a piece of brown ribbon for the trunk.

Five Dolls and One Monster

My parents have three kids - all girls. My parents have six grandkids - five girls and one boy. I decided to make Black Apple dolls for Christmas for my girls and their cousins. But what about the boy!? I looked at Etsy.com for inspiration and decided to make him a little, stuffed, green monster.


the girls


the green monster


I think he looks pretty content amongst all the girls, don't you?

Baby's Winter Hat

I have made a few of these hats using this tutorial for my own kids. This yellow one is for my new niece. The tutorial is really awesome and the hat is very easy and inexpensive to make. I highly recommend it. Oh, and my kids love the hats, so they keep them on, which is always a plus.

Birthday Girl Outfit

Before (thrift store shirt)


After (outfit for my cousin, who turned nine)


I used the shirt bottom to make a simple, elastic-waisted skirt. I used more of the fabric to make an appliqued shirt and matching hair bow.